Bats in Ontario

Bats around the world have gotten a bad reputation for many years. They have been viewed as carriers of rabies, drinkers of blood, and pests that get tangled in people’s hair, eliciting fear in many. These, however, are great misconceptions that overshadow the benefits these flying mammals can bring to ecosystems and humans. Eight species of bats currently call Ontario home. Bats have many positive impacts on the environment; for example, bats can help keep mosquito populations down thereby reducing the spread of diseases carried by mosquitos. In fact, a Little Brown Bat can eat up to 1000 insects per hour!

Bats can be seen most often at dusk and dawn using echolocation instead of sight to find their prey and avoid obstacles in the dark. They fly in many areas birds avoid due to the risk of predation, contributing to habitat diversity. They are a significant part of the food chain by reducing populations of pests that could cause significant damage otherwise, which in turn contributes to a healthy ecosystem. Bats such as the Little Brown Bat, currently listed as a Species at Risk, like to roost in caves, dead trees, and even in buildings. Unfortunately, human disturbance of these habitats has affected the populations of this species making it more challenging for these bats to find places to roost. As well, increased use of pesticides harm bats by contaminating the insects that become their food source. Another reason for the low populations of bats is their low birth rate. Little brown bats only produce one offspring called a pup per year. Thus, bats are one of the slowest breeding mammals on earth making it even harder for the species to survive. Bats hibernate in the winter in what is called a hibernaculum. Bats save up energy in the fall months, storing enough to last them the whole winter. This seasonal process can be interrupted by humans who visit caves, or perform construction or forestry activities, spooking the bats and causing them to fly around and depleting their energy stores. Having a low energy store makes the bats more susceptible to disease.

Little Brown Bat

One widespread disease is the White-Nose Syndrome, seen as one of the worst wildlife diseases in modern times wiping out millions of bats across North America. Likely brought to North America on contaminated clothing/equipment, it is a white fungus that grows on the face, ears, and wings of many species of bats. In the same way humans disturb bats while hibernating, this fungus keeps bats awake and uses up their energy stores. This causes dehydration and starvation for bats trying to survive when there is no food source readily available during the winter months. It has been researched that some cave populations have been reduced to a mere 10% of original population numbers in only two years. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Ontario Parks | Voyageur

this disease, and the Little Brown Bat is on its way to extirpation. This is why sustainable population efforts right now are so important. Everyone can get involved to help save bat populations. Before doing any major renovations such as tearing down an older or abandoned building or cutting a tree, contact local experts (such as Conservation Authority) to do an assessment on whether or not bats are occupying the space and how to relocate them. Create more habitat by building “bat boxes” (see insert) for bats to roost and raise their young can help struggling bats find a safe place to stay during the day and hibernate during the winter months. As well, reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides in home gardens, and don’t visit any caves without properly decontaminating clothes and equipment first. Working together, we can all do our part to help the Little Brown Bat and other bat species ensuring their survival for generations to come.

BAT HOUSE TIPS

A good bat house should be:

• Big with multiple chambers. • Made with untreated wood and painted with non-toxic (low to no VOC) paint/stain. • Dark in colour. • Receiving a minimum of eight hours of sun per day, which means generally facing south and not shaded. ¨ Installed three to six metres (10 to 20 feet) above the ground. • Ideally within 300 metres of a water source. • In an uncluttered location, with no under- or overhanging branches as bats need room to swoop in. • In a dark location free from light pollution.

Bats may hunt near a light source, but they will not roost near one

Visit the CANADIAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION for these tips and more on how to build your own bat house! www.cwf-fcf.org Thank you to a local Scout group for making Bat Houses that have been placed in select locations within Voyageur Provincial Park!

“As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Scouts worldwide are taking action making a global difference to eliminate poverty, reduce inequalities and fight climate change. One of these goals is to halt biodiversity loss. Bats have decreased in population by 95% in certain areas due to a disease known as White Nose Syndrome. Luckily, Voyageur Provincial Park has recently seen the return of the Little Brown Bat. To support these bat populations, 1st Dorval Strathmore Cubs have built 2 bat houses that can be used as roosting sites. Roosting sites provide female bats and their pups a safe shelter. These sites are especially important because female bats only have one pup a year. Our hope is that this initiative will help increase the local bat population for years to come.” – Dan Wylie, Akela of the 1st Strathmore Cub Pack

DISCOVERY

Join Discovery Guides at an Explora�on Sta�on during the months of July & August. Bring along your Discovery Ac�vity Book (or pick one up at the Explora�on Sta�on), and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park, observe plants and animals, and discover the wonders of nature. Be sure to share your observa�ons with Discovery Guides and take the Discovery Ranger Pledge! Ask park staff for more informa�on on weekly ac�vi�es.

Invasive species are plants, animals or insects that are not native to our region and are a special concern when trying to protect Ontario’s biodiversity. While not all non-native species are invasive, those that are, are able to outcompete our native species because they have no natural predators to keep them under control. The bays of Voyageur Provincial Park are currently infested with a relatively uncommon aquatic invasive species called European Water Chestnut; this was the first place these plants were found in Ontario, back in 2005. Our goals at the park and surrounding area are to contain and prevent further spread of these plants to other waterways in our province, and eventually eradicate them from our waters completely.

What is Water Chestnut?

Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) is an annual plant from Europe and Asia that grows in shallow areas and forms dense mats which cover the entire surface of the water, growing so thick it becomes impossible to do recreational activites such as boating, fishing or swimming. This “carpet” of plants also blocks out sunlight, affecting populations of fish and invertebrates, and inhibits the growth of our native Water Lillies and Pondweed. While not every area is fully surface covered, this plant can be found in all bays within the park boundaries.

How Do They Spread?

Water Chestnuts spread mainly by seeds, which grow from small white flowers on a floating “rosette”. They are an annual plant, which means they only reproduce by seed. This is a good thing, because it allows the us to control the spread by stopping any new seed production. The negatives: any seeds produced can remain viable in the substrate for over 10 years, and each seed can produce up to another 300 seeds if left untouched each year! Luckily however, the majority germinate within the first few years, drastically reducing the seed bank in a relatively short amount of time. These seeds are large, about the size of a loonie, and have barbed tips which allows them to stick to fur/feathers of animals, boats, trailers and even bathing suits. They can cause injury, and if they drop in a new location, can further spread the invasion. Also, if the rosette is cut off the stem and allowed to float away it will grow new roots and continue to produce seeds.

What is Ontario Parks doing about this invasion?

A team of park staff works from May to October harvesting plants to prevent seed production. This is done by specially made boats that cut the top (the seed-producing rosette) off the plant, and then another boat collects and brings these cut plants to shore to be composted. Handpicking from canoes, in chest waders or from a motor boat is also done in the areas of more sporadic growth. If you are on Iroquois Beach, you may notice a bright orange floating barrier across the bay; this is installed to prevent cut rosettes from floating away as the work is being done.

Has there been any success?

After more than a decade of control, positive results are being seen in all areas! By stopping new seed production, the existing seed bank gets further reduced each year. Champlain Bay has been cleared 100% of all plants every summer since 2009, and it is now at the point where it takes less than 1 day/ month to monitor the entire bay, mostly to remove Ontario Parks | Voyageur

plants that may have been brought in by other boats. In the cleared areas of Iroquois Bay there is a noticeable difference in the density of plants growing in early spring between areas that have never been cleared and areas that have been cleared for the past 4-6 years. In fact, research done in the park suggests that after at least 4 years of stopping any new seed production leaves us with a 95% reduction of viable seeds left in the seed bank!

What can YOU do to help?

• Please be sure to inspect and clean your boats & trailers thoroughly to prevent spreading to other areas • Pick off all seeds and plants that may be “stuck” on ropes, buoys, motors or trailers and throw them into the garbage or into specially marked seed containers located on all beaches, the Boat

Launch and at the Main Gate • Please stay out of infested areas to avoid cutting the rosettes off their stems, allowing them to float away and spread seeds • If you launch your boat from Iroquois Bay, try to leave the area by driving down the middle through the “cleared” channel to avoid unknowingly transporting plants stuck on motors to other locations on the Ottawa River

Firewood Restrictions

Bringing firewood when you travel to or from your favourite provincial park may seem harmless but can spread invasive species such as insects, plants and diseases.

Many of these species are hidden in the wood and are difficult to detect. Millions of trees have already been infected. Help us reduce the spread by; • Leaving firewood at home • Purchasing kiln-dried firewood where available • Buying local • Help keep our beaches safe (the seeds are very sharp!) by assisting staff in picking up washed up seeds and placing them in the seed containers • If you are concerned that you may have found a new location, PLEASE LET US KNOW! You can tell any staff member or call the Invading Species

Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 • Volunteer!

We are always looking for more help, so if you want to help protect our environment please contact the Water

Chestnut

Supervisor at jean.malboeuf@ ontario.ca or leave a message with the Main

Gate staff, and we will gladly have you be a part of our team!

If you move firewood out of an area regulated for a quarantined pest without prior approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) you could face penalties of up to $50,000 and/or prosecution. For more information on firewood movement restrictions and the latest updates about emerald ash borer and other regulated pests, please visit www.inspection.gc.ca or contact the CFIA at 1-800442-2342.

There is one basic rule in Ontario Parks: Have respect and consideration for your fellow visitors and the park environment. The following table lists some of the more common laws enforced in provincial parks. Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, the registered permit holder is responsible for the conduct of all campsite occupants and could be charged with an offence based on the actions of the occupants of the registered campsite. The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 and other legislation governing behaviour in provincial parks can be reviewed at provincial park offices and on the e-Laws website at www.ontario.ca/laws. These laws are enforced by provincial park wardens who have all the power and authority of a member of the Ontario Provincial Police within a provincial park. Many of the listed offences could result in eviction from a provincial park. Evicted visitors are prohibited from re-entering any provincial park for a period of 72 hours. Minimum fines listed below do not include court costs or victim fine surcharge.

Offence

Liquor and Cannabis

• Having liquor in open container in other than residence (campsite) • Consuming liquor in other than residence • Driving or having care or control of a motor vehicle with open or unsealed container of liquor • Person under 19 years having liquor • Being intoxicated in a public place • Person under 19 years – possess cannabis • Driving or having care or control of a vehicle or boat with cannabis in open original packaging, open baggage, or readily available

Rowdyism / Noise

• Use discriminatory, harassing, abusive or insulting language or gestures • Make excessive noise • Disturb other persons • Operate audio device in prohibited area

Storing Wildlife Attractants

• Unlawfully store wildlife attractants

Refuse

• Litter or cause litter • Fail to keep campsite / facility clean • Fail to restore campsite / facility to original condition

Vehicles

• Unlawfully take motor vehicle into park or possess or operate it • Speeding –more than 20 km/hr • Operate vehicle off roadway • Disobey stop sign

Parking

• Park vehicle in area not designated • Park vehicle in prohibited area • Fail to display permit on parked vehicle

Pets

• Permit domestic animal to be without leash • Permit domestic animal to make excessive noise • Permit domestic animal to be in designated swimming area or on a beach • Permit domestic animal to disturb people • Permit domestic animal to be in a posted prohibited area

Environmental Protection

• Damage / deface / remove Crown property • Disturb / harm / remove natural object • Disturb / cut / remove / harm plant or tree • Kill plant or tree • Disturb / kill / remove / harm / harass animal

Camping Permit

• Fail to vacate and remove property from campsite on permit expiry • Unlawfully occupy campsite • Camp over time limit

Camping Equipment / Persons

• Place more than 3 pieces of shelter equipment on campsite • Place more than one tent trailer, travel trailer or selfpropelled camping unit on campsite • Excessive number of persons occupying campground campsite / interior campsite

Campfires

• Start or tend fire other than in fireplace or designated place • Start or tend fire where notice of fire hazard is posted

Fireworks

• Possess fireworks • Ignite fireworks

Hours of Closing

• Enter park after closing • Remain in park after closing

Min. Fine Explanation

$ 100.00

$ 100.00 $ 175.00

$ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 100.00 $175.00 If you are 19 years of age or older, you are permitted to possess or consume liquor (beer, wine, spirits) only on a registered campsite.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that liquor is properly stored while in a vehicle. Liquor must be in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken or is packed away and not accessible to any person in the vehicle.

No person under 19 years of age can possess or consume cannabis.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that cannabis is properly stored while in a vehicle or boat. Cannabis must be in its original packaging that has not been opened or cannabis must be packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle or boat.

$ 150.00

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $ 75.00

$ 125.00 Provincial parks are established to provide a setting for peaceful and natural experiences. Rowdy behaviour, which includes excessive noise, or obscene language or gestures, is not permitted. You cannot disturb any other person or interfere with their enjoyment of the park any time of the day or night.

Operation of an audio device (such as a radio, stereo, TV, etc.) in a radio-free area is prohibited. Do not maintain or store potential wildlife attractants, including food or beverages, food preparation or storage equipment, cooking devices or utensils, garbage or recycling products, scented products or any other item in a manner that is likely to attract wildlife.

$125.00 Deposit all garbage and litter in the containers provided to discourage wildlife from becoming pests. Campsites and/ or facilities must be kept clean at all times to eliminate potential hazards to parks visitors and minimize human-wildlife conflict.

$ 125.00

$ 100.00 $ 125.00 $ 85.00

(plus 3 demerit points) Off-road vehicles are not permitted in provincial parks because of the environmental damage they cause.

Licenced motor vehicles may be operated on roads only. You must follow the rules of the road and remember that the Highway Traffic Act applies on all park roads. Each vehicle in the park must have a valid provincial park permit. Bicycles are only allowed on park roads and on designated bike trails.

$ 30.00 All vehicles must park in a designated area and must have a valid park permit.

$ 75.00 Where a physical park permit is issued, it must be prominently displayed on your vehicle. For the protection of wildlife and other park visitors, your pet must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 2 metres at all times. You must ensure your pet does not damage or interfere with vegetation or wildlife. You must also ensure your pet does not interfere with others’ enjoyment of the park. Pets are not permitted in the swimming area, on the beach or in a posted prohibited area at any time.

$ 125.00

$ 125.00 $ 125.00 $ 150.00 $ 150.00

$ 75.00 $ 125.00 $ 75.00

$ 75.00 To maintain the park as a natural setting, the removal of natural objects is prohibited. All vegetation, wildlife and natural features are protected in provincial parks. Cutting any live growth or damaging any natural or other object is prohibited. You may not take any fallen or dead wood from a provincial park for the purpose of a campfire or other such intent.

You are required to vacate and remove all property from your campground campsite or interior campsite by 2:00 p.m. on the date your permit expires so that others may have access to it. The maximum length of stay on a provincial park campground campsite is 23 consecutive nights and 16 consecutive nights on an interior campsite to ensure park visitors have an equal opportunity to enjoy our campsites and limit environmental impact.

Without a limit on the amount of camping gear allowed, campsites would quickly deteriorate, becoming larger, eventually destroying the surrounding vegetation. The maximum number of campers allowed per campground campsite is six persons and the maximum number of campers allowed on an interior campsite is nine persons.

$ 150.00

$ 100.00 $ 150.00 Fireplaces are designated by park staff for safety reasons. Restricting fires to these locations greatly reduces the risk of forest fires. For the prevention of forest fires, a park superintendent may give notice of a fire hazard and implement a fire ban. At any time during a fire ban no person is permitted to have a fire unless otherwise stated by the park superintendent. Possession or use of fireworks is prohibited in provincial parks at all times. They constitute a fire hazard and disturb visitors and wildlife who wish to enjoy the park in a peaceful manner.